Ottawa, province announce $8 million for local infrastructure projects

KITCHENER — The federal and provincial governments are providing almost $8 million in funding for basic infrastructure projects in local municipalities.

Raj Saini, the MP for Kitchener Centre, and Daiene Vernile, the MPP for Kitchener Centre, joined Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic Friday morning at a news conference in the Kitchener City Hall rotunda to announce the funding.

The event was part of an announcement of water and sewer projects in 24 Ontario municipalities under the federal-provincial Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.

The federal government is spending $569 million on infrastructure spending in Ontario, covering up to half of the cost of projects, while the province is providing up to $270 million (up to 25 per cent of project costs). Local municipalities provide the final 25 per cent of funding for the projects.

Funding for local projects includes $4.4 million to replace storm water, sewer and water pipes on Alice Avenue, Karn Street, Hugo Crescent and part of Lorne Avenue in Kitchener; $657,500 to install water leak detection in Waterloo; $2 million for water, sanitary and storm water infrastructure on Selkirk Street and Berkley Road in Cambridge; and $820,000 for water and sewer services in the Wilmot Employment Lands, and to replace a water main on King Street in New Hamburg.

“These types of infrastructure investments are vital as they impact on the quality of life of our residents on a daily basis,” Vrbanovic said. “We welcome the federal and provincial governments’ funding for these essential infrastructure assets.”